1 Timothy 4:12

International Standard Version

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness,faith">[fn] and purity.1 Corinthians 16:11; Titus 2:7,15; 1 Peter 5:3;">[xr]

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You are young, but don't let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life.

Revised Standard Version
Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Let no man despyse thy youth: but be vnto them that beleve an insample in worde in conversacion in love in sprete in fayth and in purenes.

Hebrew Names Version
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

New American Standard Bible
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

New Century Version
Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life.

Update Bible Version
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in deportment, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

English Standard Version
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

World English Bible
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Let no one despise thy youth; but be a pattern to them that believe, in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Weymouth's New Testament
Let no one think slightingly of you because you are a young man; but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for your fellow Christians to imitate.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
No man dispise thi yongthe, but be thou ensaumple of feithful men in word, in lyuyng, in charite, in feith, in chastite.

English Revised Version
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Berean Standard Bible
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Contemporary English Version
Don't let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.

Amplified Bible
Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.

American Standard Version
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Bible in Basic English
Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living.

Complete Jewish Bible
Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth; on the contrary, set the believers an example in your speech, behavior, love, trust and purity.

Darby Translation
Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Etheridge Translation
And let no man despise thy youth; but be an example to the believers in word, and in conduct, and in charity, and in faith, and in purity.

Murdock Translation
And let no one despise thy youth; but be thou a pattern for the believers, in speech, and in behavior, and in love, and in faith, and in purity.

King James Version (1611)
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the beleeuers, in word, in conuersation, in charitie, in spirit, in faith, in puritie.

New Living Translation
Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

New Life Bible
Let no one show little respect for you because you are young. Show other Christians how to live by your life. They should be able to follow you in the way you talk and in what you do. Show them how to live in faith and in love and in holy living.

New Revised Standard
Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Let no man despise thy youth, but be vnto them that beleeue, an ensample, in worde, in conuersation, in loue, in spirit, in faith, and in purenesse.

George Lamsa Translation
Let no man despise your youth; but you be an example to believers, in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, and in purity.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Let, no one, despise, thy youth, but, an ensample, become thou of the faithful, - in discourse, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in chastity.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou a paterne of the beleuers, in worde, in conuersation, in loue, in spirite, in fayth, in chastitie.

Good News Translation
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.

Christian Standard Bible®
Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

King James Version
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Lexham English Bible
Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Literal Translation
Let no one despise your youth, but become an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Young's Literal Translation
let no one despise thy youth, but a pattern become thou of those believing in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Let no man despyse yi youth, but be thou vnto them that beleue, an ensample, in worde, in couersacion, in loue, in ye sprete, in faith, in purenesse.

Mace New Testament (1729)
don't give occasion to any to despise your youth: but be a pattern to believers in your discourse, in your behaviour, by your charity, faith and chastity.

New English Translation
Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

New King James Version
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, [fn] in faith, in purity.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Prove them wrong by the way you speak, act, love, and the way you prove your ride is truth.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as a model to those who believe in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Contextual Overview

⁶ If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.2 Timothy 3:14-15;">[xr] ⁷ Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women, but train yourself in godliness.1 Timothy 1:4; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16,23; 4:4; Titus 1:14; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr] ⁸ Physical exercise is of limited value, butPsalm 37:4; 84:11; 112:2-3; 145:19; Matthew 6:33; 19:29; Mark 10:30; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Colossians 2:23; 1 Timothy 6:6;">[xr] Godliness is very dear, A pledge of life, both there and here. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves complete acceptance.[fn]1 Timothy 1:15;">[xr] ¹⁰ To this end we work hard and struggle,suffer abuse">[fn] because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe.Psalm 36:6; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:17;">[xr] ¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach.1 Timothy 6:2;">[xr] ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness,faith">[fn] and purity.1 Corinthians 16:11; Titus 2:7,15; 1 Peter 5:3;">[xr] ¹³ Until I arrive, concentrate on the public reading of Scripture,on the reading">[fn] on exhorting, and on teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglectStop neglecting">[fn] the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, accompanied by the laying on of the elders' hands.Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Timothy 1:18; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6;">[xr] ¹⁵ Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

no: Matthew 18:10, 1 Corinthians 16:10, 1 Corinthians 16:11, 2 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:22

be thou: 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, Titus 2:7, 1 Peter 5:3

in word: 2 Corinthians 6:4-17, Philippians 4:8, 2 Timothy 2:22, James 3:13, James 3:17, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:2 - and show Zechariah 2:4 - young Matthew 5:19 - do Mark 6:30 - both 2 Corinthians 6:6 - pureness Galatians 5:22 - faith Ephesians 5:2 - walk Philippians 3:17 - be 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - what 1 Thessalonians 1:7 - ensamples 1 Timothy 5:2 - with 1 Timothy 5:22 - keep 1 Timothy 6:11 - righteousness 2 Timothy 3:10 - my 2 Timothy 4:5 - an Titus 1:8 - sober Titus 2:12 - live Titus 2:15 - Let 1 Peter 1:15 - in 1 Peter 1:22 - a pure 1 Peter 2:12 - your conversation 1 Peter 3:2 - behold 2 Peter 3:11 - in all

Cross-References

Romans 8:20
because the creation was subjected to frustration, though not by its own choice. The one who subjected it did so in the hopeGenesis 3:19; Romans 8:22;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Let no man despise thy youth,.... Timothy was now a young man; some think he was about three and twenty years of age; but he might be older, and yet be so called. Saul is said to be a young man, when he held the clothes of them that stoned Stephen, when he must be at least thirty years of age, some say thirty five; since thirty years after that he styles himself Paul the aged, when he must be sixty years of age and upwards, Acts 7:58. Young men are sometimes honoured by God with great gifts, for usefulness both in church and state, as Samuel, David, Solomon, Daniel, and his companions: nor should they be despised on account of their age, when they have gifts suitable to their office, and behave well in it, but, on the contrary, ought to be esteemed for their works' sake; and such should take care that no man has an opportunity or reason to treat them with contempt on that account: the apostle's sense is, either that Timothy, being in office, should not suffer any man to use him contemptuously; but exert his power and authority, and magnify his office, and not allow men to trample upon him, or use him ill, though he was a young man; which sense suits with the preceding words: or rather his meaning is, that he would have him so conduct and behave himself, as he had taught him to behave, in the house and church of God, and so fill up his place and office, and live such an exemplary life and conversation, that there might be no occasion for any to despise his age, or him, on the account of it: and this agrees with what follows,

but be thou an example of the believers; the members of the church, before called brethren, from their relation to one another, and here believers, from their concern with Christ, the object of their faith; a more honourable character cannot be given of men, though treated with great contempt in this age of infidelity. The Mahometans would engross this character to themselves, calling themselves the believers, and reckoning all others infidels; but to them only it belongs, who believe in Christ unto righteousness and life everlasting. Now sometimes young men may be examples to older ones; and all that are in office in the church, especially in the ministry, whether old or young, should be ensamples to the flock, and that in the following things: "in word"; meaning either the word of truth, the doctrine of the Gospel; by delivering that which is according to the rule of God's word, showing in it uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and by holding it fast; all which may for the imitation of others, to receive the pure doctrine and retain it: or rather this may respect common discourse; which should not be corrupt, filthy, nor foolish; but should be always with grace, Seasoned with salt, or should be grave and serious, wise and prudent, pleasant, profitable, and edifying.

In conversation; in the family, church, and world; which should be as becomes the Gospel of Christ, in all godliness and honesty, with simplicity and godly sincerity; so as to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, recommend it to others, stop the mouths of gainsayers, and obtain a good report of them that are without.

In charity; in love to God, to Christ, and one another; without which, if a man has the tongue of men and angels, or ever such great and excellent gifts, he is nothing.

In spirit; in the exercise of spiritual gifts; in spiritual talk and conversation; and in fervency of spirit, or true zeal for the honour of God, the glory of the Redeemer, the spread of his Gospel, truths, and ordinances, and the support of the same. This clause is wanting in the Alexandrian and Claromontane copies, and in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions.

In faith; in the exercise of the grace of faith; in holding fast the profession of faith; and in retaining the doctrine of faith, with all integrity, faithfulness, and constancy, standing fast in it, striving and contending for it.

In purity; or chastity of body, in opposition to all impurity of the flesh, by fornication, adultery, and the like; which was very proper to be suggested to a young man: though this may also have respect to all that is before said, as to purity of language, conversation, love, zeal, and faith.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let no man despise thy youth - That is, do not act in such a manner that any shall despise you on account of your youth. Act as becomes a minister of the gospel in all things, and in such a way that people will respect you as such, though you are young. It is clear from this that Timothy was then a young man, but his exact age there is no means of determining. It is implied here:

(1) That there was danger that, by the levity and indiscretion to which youth are so much exposed, the ministry might be regarded with contempt; and,

(2) That it was possible that his deportment should be so grave, serious, and every way appropriate, that the ministry would not be blamed, but honored. The “way” in which Timothy was to live so that the ministry would not be despised on account of his youth, the apostle proceeds immediately to specify.

But be thou an example of the believers - One of the constant duties of a minister of the gospel, no matter what his age. A minister should so live, that if all his people should closely follow his example, their salvation would be secure, and they would make the highest possible attainments in piety. On the meaning of the word rendered “example,” see the notes on Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7.

In word - In “speech,” that is, your manner of conversation. This does not refer to his “public teaching” - in which he could not probably be an “example” to them - but to his usual and familiar conversation.

In conversation - In general deportment. See this word explained in the notes on Philippians 1:27.

In charity - Love to the brethren, and to all; see notes on 1 Corinthians 13:0.

In spirit - In the government of your passions, and in a mild, meek, forgiving disposition.

In faith - At all times, and in all trials show to believers by your example, how they ought to maintain unshaken confidence in God.

In purity - In chasteness of life; see 1 Timothy 5:2. There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal. The papists, with great impropriety, understand this as enjoining celibacy - as if there could be no “purity” in that holy relation which God appointed in Eden, and which he has declared to “be honorable in all” Hebrews 13:4, and which he has made so essential to the wellbeing of mankind. If the apostle had wished to produce the highest possible degree of corruption in the church, he would have enjoined the celibacy of the clergy and the celibacy of an indefinite number of nuns and monks. There are no other institutions on the earth which have done so much to corrupt the chastity of the race, as those which have grown out of the doctrine that celibacy is more honorable than marriage.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. Let no man despise thy youth — Act with all the gravity and decorum which become thy situation in the Church. As thou art in the place of an elder, act as an elder. Boyish playfulness ill becomes a minister of the Gospel, whatever his age may be. Concerning Timothy's age see the conclusion of the preface to this epistle.

Be thou an example of the believers — It is natural for the flock to follow the shepherd; if he go wrong, they will go wrong also.

"Himself a wanderer from the narrow way,

His silly sheep, no wonder if they stray."

Though, according to the just judgement of God, they who die in their sins have their blood on their own head; yet, if they have either gone into sin or continued in it through the watchman's fault, their blood will God require at his hand. How many have endeavoured to excuse their transgressions by alleging, in vindication of their conduct, "Our minister does so, and he is more wise and learned than we." What an awful account must such have to give to the Head of the Church when he appears!

In word — εν λογω. In doctrine; teach nothing but the truth of God, because nothing but that will save souls.

In conversation — εν αναστροφη. In the whole of thy conduct in every department which thou fillest in all thy domestic as well as public relations, behave thyself well.

In charity — εν αγαπη. In love to God and man; show that this is the principle and motive of all thy conduct.

In spirit — εν πνευματι. In the manner and disposition in which thou dost all things. How often is a holy or charitable work done in an unholy, uncharitable, and peevish spirit! To the doer, such work is unfruitful.

These words are wanting in ACDFG, and several others; both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala, and many of the fathers. Griesbach leaves them out of the text. They have in all probability been added by a later hand.

In faith — εν πιστει. This word πιστις is probably taken here for fidelity, a sense which it often bears in the New Testament. It cannot mean doctrine, for that has been referred to before. Be faithful to thy trust, to thy flock, to thy domestics, to the public, to thy GOD. Fidelity consists in honestly keeping, preserving, and delivering up when required, whatever is intrusted to our care; as also in improving whatever is delivered in trust for that purpose. Lose nothing that God gives, and improve every gift that he bestows.

In purity. — εν αγνεια. Chastity of body and mind; a direction peculiarly necessary for a young minister, who has more temptations to break its rules than perhaps any other person. "Converse sparingly with women, and especially with young women," was the advice of a very holy and experienced minister of Christ.